Leaving the 993 fold...
11-20-2007, 01:21 PM
#31
Racer
Thread Starter
Quick question for the M5 suggesters
Why the E39 not the E60?
More thoughts:
Overnight, i was trying to figure out why I've struggled over the years to even think about changing the 993 to another Carrera, and to see if that gives clues as to what to get next.
The fact is that I don't like the look or the sound of the 996 (outside of the GTs) and finally with the 997 they got the look better. The lights, the hips etc. But here's the truth of the matter. They're just not the same. Faster, more powerful, more capable of course, but feel under the inside door handle and a-ha! there're are not bolt heads. Because they're produced more efficiently and in greater numbers and more by machines than by hand. I love that the 993 (and my 911SC before it) felt like they were machined from a billet of steel.
The fact is that the 993 is truly the last of the Porsches that as a kid i dreamed of when I talked to my petrol-head (I'm British) father, and with friends. I dreamed of driving a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Lambo, an Aston or a Bristol. Hand built machines built by purists for single purposes. Cars that I'd see on the race track. Cars that in the UK at least caused playground chatter for days if we actually saw one IN REAL LIFE!!!!
They were my aspirational brands, and they still are.
Perhaps I'm spoiled by a good life in SoCal, but the fact is that I must see 8 Porsches minimum on my commute but another 993 still makes me look twice. M3? M5? 90% of them have never been revved beyond 3000 and are driven in auto-mode. Mercedes? Much as I enjoyed the CLS55 and the CLS550 yesterday, that single dealer probably sells more cars a year than 993s were built in any given year.
Oh, I don't know. What a wonderful, selfish dilemma to have. I can afford pretty much anything within "reason" but I am not so stupid as to buy something on a whim or with a view to changing if i don't like it. (On that note, a friend of an employee works at the local Maserati dealer and they get people in that just buy a car, then return it after 3 mths because they're bored or have seen something else. Hence the large number of used Quattros there.) I'm not that shallow.
I'm like everyone else on this forum. I love sports cars. I want to love what I drive.
Why the E39 not the E60?
More thoughts:
Overnight, i was trying to figure out why I've struggled over the years to even think about changing the 993 to another Carrera, and to see if that gives clues as to what to get next.
The fact is that I don't like the look or the sound of the 996 (outside of the GTs) and finally with the 997 they got the look better. The lights, the hips etc. But here's the truth of the matter. They're just not the same. Faster, more powerful, more capable of course, but feel under the inside door handle and a-ha! there're are not bolt heads. Because they're produced more efficiently and in greater numbers and more by machines than by hand. I love that the 993 (and my 911SC before it) felt like they were machined from a billet of steel.
The fact is that the 993 is truly the last of the Porsches that as a kid i dreamed of when I talked to my petrol-head (I'm British) father, and with friends. I dreamed of driving a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Lambo, an Aston or a Bristol. Hand built machines built by purists for single purposes. Cars that I'd see on the race track. Cars that in the UK at least caused playground chatter for days if we actually saw one IN REAL LIFE!!!!
They were my aspirational brands, and they still are.
Perhaps I'm spoiled by a good life in SoCal, but the fact is that I must see 8 Porsches minimum on my commute but another 993 still makes me look twice. M3? M5? 90% of them have never been revved beyond 3000 and are driven in auto-mode. Mercedes? Much as I enjoyed the CLS55 and the CLS550 yesterday, that single dealer probably sells more cars a year than 993s were built in any given year.
Oh, I don't know. What a wonderful, selfish dilemma to have. I can afford pretty much anything within "reason" but I am not so stupid as to buy something on a whim or with a view to changing if i don't like it. (On that note, a friend of an employee works at the local Maserati dealer and they get people in that just buy a car, then return it after 3 mths because they're bored or have seen something else. Hence the large number of used Quattros there.) I'm not that shallow.
I'm like everyone else on this forum. I love sports cars. I want to love what I drive.
11-20-2007, 01:41 PM
#32
Race Car
I checked out the S5 at the dealer, its a lot smaller in person than in pictures. Back seats aren't really that accommodating. Don't know how big your kids are. Just FYI.
11-20-2007, 03:53 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
E39 = 993, last of breed.
E60 = 996, wouldn't want to own one out of warranty.
E60 = 996, wouldn't want to own one out of warranty.
11-20-2007, 05:43 PM
#35
Racer
Thread Starter
Makes sense on the M%s - thanks
Just drove an RS4. For the day-to-day run through the canyons, that's a sweet engine and car. The engine itself sounds sublime and is very quick/high revving for a V8. A little snug in back, so i can imagine the S5 is smaller still.
I went to see a BMW 650i yesterday too, but that is no advantage over the 993 in terms os space. What a waste.
Just drove an RS4. For the day-to-day run through the canyons, that's a sweet engine and car. The engine itself sounds sublime and is very quick/high revving for a V8. A little snug in back, so i can imagine the S5 is smaller still.
I went to see a BMW 650i yesterday too, but that is no advantage over the 993 in terms os space. What a waste.
11-20-2007, 05:50 PM
#36
8th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Hope you realise Dave the small group of Porsche owners at our work will not speak with you again...
Sell the 993, buy an older 911 hobby car for the Sunday drives
Sell the 993, buy an older 911 hobby car for the Sunday drives
11-23-2007, 12:38 AM
#38
8th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Yes Dave, caught me out, Rachel Ben Allen, I didn't think Ben Rachel Allen would be appropiate. Thanks though for suggesting the Rennlist forum, all good stuff. I also did get some good help with my gearbox issues.
It will be interesting to catch up with you the next time you're in Sydney and see what you decided on.
rba901
'77 3.0 Carrera
It will be interesting to catch up with you the next time you're in Sydney and see what you decided on.
rba901
'77 3.0 Carrera
11-23-2007, 12:18 PM
#39
Rennlist Member
A few technical differences:
The e39 (all years) are six speeds. The e60 is SMG (similar to Tiptronic) up until the 2008 model where a 6 speed manual is available. Thelast year for the e39 was 2003.
The e39 does not have the infamous I-drive for controls. Many absolutely hate these controls.
The e39's V8 has higher torque lower in the band which makes it feel much faster out of the hole. The e60's high revving V10 has it's torque come in higher up in the band. It red lines around 8200 rpm vs 6800 for the e39.
Because of the torque band of the e39, it feels faster at the lower rpms and lower speeds where you spend much of your time. However, above 130mph or so, the e60 will definitely pull away from the e39.
Obviously, the e60 has 500 HP to 400 HP for the e39.
I agree with the other's statement about the Bangle design. I prefer the pre-Bangle look but this is just a personal preference. The e60 M5 is also a sweet ride.
The e39 (all years) are six speeds. The e60 is SMG (similar to Tiptronic) up until the 2008 model where a 6 speed manual is available. Thelast year for the e39 was 2003.
The e39 does not have the infamous I-drive for controls. Many absolutely hate these controls.
The e39's V8 has higher torque lower in the band which makes it feel much faster out of the hole. The e60's high revving V10 has it's torque come in higher up in the band. It red lines around 8200 rpm vs 6800 for the e39.
Because of the torque band of the e39, it feels faster at the lower rpms and lower speeds where you spend much of your time. However, above 130mph or so, the e60 will definitely pull away from the e39.
Obviously, the e60 has 500 HP to 400 HP for the e39.
I agree with the other's statement about the Bangle design. I prefer the pre-Bangle look but this is just a personal preference. The e60 M5 is also a sweet ride.
11-23-2007, 01:39 PM
#40
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
...
Overnight, i was trying to figure out why I've struggled over the years to even think about changing the 993 to another Carrera, and to see if that gives clues as to what to get next.
The fact is that I don't like the look or the sound of the 996 (outside of the GTs) and finally with the 997 they got the look better. The lights, the hips etc. But here's the truth of the matter. They're just not the same. Faster, more powerful, more capable of course, but feel under the inside door handle and a-ha! there're are not bolt heads. Because they're produced more efficiently and in greater numbers and more by machines than by hand. I love that the 993 (and my 911SC before it) felt like they were machined from a billet of steel.
The fact is that the 993 is truly the last of the Porsches that as a kid i dreamed of when I talked to my petrol-head (I'm British) father, and with friends. I dreamed of driving a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Lambo, an Aston or a Bristol. Hand built machines built by purists for single purposes. Cars that I'd see on the race track. Cars that in the UK at least caused playground chatter for days if we actually saw one IN REAL LIFE!!!!
They were my aspirational brands, and they still are.
...
I'm like everyone else on this forum. I love sports cars. I want to love what I drive.
Overnight, i was trying to figure out why I've struggled over the years to even think about changing the 993 to another Carrera, and to see if that gives clues as to what to get next.
The fact is that I don't like the look or the sound of the 996 (outside of the GTs) and finally with the 997 they got the look better. The lights, the hips etc. But here's the truth of the matter. They're just not the same. Faster, more powerful, more capable of course, but feel under the inside door handle and a-ha! there're are not bolt heads. Because they're produced more efficiently and in greater numbers and more by machines than by hand. I love that the 993 (and my 911SC before it) felt like they were machined from a billet of steel.
The fact is that the 993 is truly the last of the Porsches that as a kid i dreamed of when I talked to my petrol-head (I'm British) father, and with friends. I dreamed of driving a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Lambo, an Aston or a Bristol. Hand built machines built by purists for single purposes. Cars that I'd see on the race track. Cars that in the UK at least caused playground chatter for days if we actually saw one IN REAL LIFE!!!!
They were my aspirational brands, and they still are.
...
I'm like everyone else on this forum. I love sports cars. I want to love what I drive.
1. You must love what you drive.
2. You have petrol in your blood.
3. You have a "heritage" stemming from boyhood for the old-school of classics put out by men who loved their machines.
4. The 993 is the only one of the myriad Porsches out there that turns your head and makes you feel all funny.
So ask yoursef this question: if you sell the 993 that you seem to love (and presumably have bonded with), is it likely you will regret giving up this time-honored true passion for which you have respect and admiration for a "fling" with the silicone-new sportscar de jour??
There is much to be said for loving what one purports to love. ...ok, enough of the Deep Thoughts with Handy. Now go buy yourself a really nice kid-hauler and rip up the road with yer 993!!
Edward